Turning Anger into Humor and Derision

Anger isn’t my favorite emotion! I find it to be cumbersome, painful and very hard on me, so when I can, I love to turn it into a humorous comment or even turn it into derision, whenever I can think well enough on my feet. Many see this as a convenient coping mechanism that can be constructive when it’s well executed, but can also backfire as it is often perceived as not being constructive in the long term, especially for resolving conflicts or improving relationships.

The main idea for me is to re-channel anger, by taking its source and blowing it out of proportion to a ridiculous and comical extreme. I keep that kind of reaction constructive by using humor or derision as a temporary way to vent frustration and prevent anger from festering internally. It's a coping mechanism that reduces the stress I get from anger and even derisive laughter, physically releases tension I have. 

This also helps defuse tension, especially in a non-confrontational setting, where a well-timed, witty (but not cruel) remark can sometimes break a tense atmosphere. Of course, I’m cognizant that humor and derision can’t resolve the whole source of the anger as it won’t necessarily attack the problem. I also am aware that derision, is often demeaning and disrespectful, so I do my best to avoid hurting others, eroding trust, and damaging my relationships. 

It’s a bit tricky from that standpoint and requires a definite tactic and to know in advance what I’ll talk about and how I’ll stay away from hurting anyone. I limit myself to using humor to express frustration as a valuable coping mechanism for minor irritations, provided it's light, self-aware, and not directed at someone in a demeaning way. Think of it as a pressure valve for my own well being!